NEW...DOLPHIN/SWAN..."questions and answers"...tips and hints!

[disnurse]

Thanks mouseteacher I'll check later this week i think its 5 days out so that would be the 8th. April and we have ice.sleet and snow, next week can't come fast enough. When is your spring break, i have 5 more shcool days to go but whose counting....
Haven't even thought about learning image postings, I'll tackle that when I get back. Well started to get some stuff together I have one week so i should be able to wrap things up by then (hope).

 

[wld]

Just saw the points and cash promotion on spg. Would have saved us over $400 on our May trip. But no availability on our dates...... We are standard nurses rate. I have over 22000 points and gold status. Trying to decide to upgrade outright or wait and see. Decisions...Decisions. Loving all the beautiful pictures.
DU did our reservations. Guess I need to email and have our starwood preferred number added to the reservation. Wonder if I should do it when I make a request. What is the best time out to make a request? Know with the Disney owned hotels it is 3-4 days.

Thanks everyone, very excited about our Swan stay. We had the Dolphin in Dec and then switched to POR to save money. Once we toured the area by boat were kind of sorry we did that.

Any chance rooms might open up with the cash and points before we get there?

 

[ozziewags]

If Dreams Unlimited did your reservations, by all means give them your spg number asap and ALSO tell them you would like to use cash and points for this trip. I have read that they sometimes can come up with dates that were unavailable to us. Not sure if they can help you with the cash and points but they will tell you. I wouldn't wait to let S/D know of requests, and then email or call again about 5 days before to confirm. If you check the spg site it may be posted there. Mouseteacher can let you know about that!

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by dimimi
Hi Everyone! We just returned from beautiful Walt Disney World and we have a question. While we were there we visited the Dolphin/Swan and LOVED it! The resort was beautiful! I can get the teacher discount and we are thinking about it for next time. Here is our question. As we were looking at the pool we noticed a huge...over 1000 people buffet for a convention set up around the quieter pool. The front desk said that was common. Do all the convention people make the resort very crowded? We are especially concerned about the daytime periods around the pool. Did you feel as if you were in the middle of a convention? We have read on these boards that the Swan/Dolphin didn't feel disney...we would have to disagreee...we thought it was great! Thanks for your help.

Hello, Diane! Please read my reply to you about "Convention people" on the "TOIL & TROUBLE" thread! LOL. There are just TWO MANY chairs at the GROTTO POOL for it to ever FEEL CROWDED! I will just HAVE TO count them the next time I'm at the Dolphin. Anyone going soon, up for this task? LOL.

Originally posted by mouseteacher
You may have created a monster! I might bore everyone with picture after picture after picture! LOL

So HAPPY to actually SEE a PICTURE! YOU DID IT, Mouseteacher! Ozzie is the BEST teacher. And, yes...she definitely created a MONSTER over here. Just wait until this coming summer...with the laptop and digi cam..."You Ain't seen nothin' yet"! LOL

Disnurse...ONE WEEK? Get to packing! Please, take some pics while there...and Ozzie will "talk you through" the process for posting when you return. I'm getting excited just THINKING about your trip. Enjoy the week ahead...keep dropping posts until you leave. Thanks.... DF99

 

[Mouseteacher]

disnurse ~ our spring break starts on Good Friday and goes into the following week (week of the 21st I believe). Do take pictures so you can post them. My pictures certainly are "old" --circa August 2002! LOL

So, in agreement with ozzie, that I need new updated pictures. LOL Does that give me another reason to book for July? I keep trying to pile up good reasons why we should go and not think of the $$$. The cash and points seem too good to pass up. We would pay $60 per night for the 3 nights + points - that's what got me thinking... as my DH says "a dangerous and expensive practice" since I need to feed my Disney addiction.

Well, here is another reason:

 

[Mouseteacher]

DF ~ I guess we could call ourselves Monsters, Inc. and ozzie is our own Dr. Frankenstein.

 

[ozziewags]

LOL......you guys crack me up!

Oh, and lest you forget......here is the REAL Ozzie:

 

[disnurse]

can't wait to try the picture, now that i have figured out my digital camera. do you have to load them at imagination center or similar or can you do it from a cd or folder?

 

[ozziewags]

Disnurse....you will need to upload them from your cd to www.imagestation.com after you register with imagestation.

 

[Gilligan]

One week to go and we're on our way!!

We won't be renting a car whilst we're at the Dolphin, but we do plan on escaping from WDW to visit US. Yes, yes, I know it's not Disney, but we're coming a long way, and we've got to see it ALL Can anyone tell me the best way of getting there? Are there buses from the Dolphin, or should we get a cab, or what? Any ideas how much it would cost?

I'll be wearing my lime green ribbon...if I could find lime green! Dark green, medium green, tartan green I can find, but no lime green yet!

 

[Mouseteacher]

There aren't buses that go from Disney to US. You can go to the guest services desk and arrange for transportation to pick up and return you to your resort. I believe when we checked last summer - RT was $40 per person.

 

[dreamflight99]

Yes....Mouseteacher! LOL. Our creativity has been "Unleashed" by OZZIE, AKA: Dr. Frankenstein. ...OR~THE "REAL" WIZARD BEHIND THE CURTAIN:

Now, is that a FACE, or WHAT?!? Thanks for the sweet pups pic, Ozzie.

Oh, that DOLPHIN picture has me "Drooling", and I definitely think the CASH & POINTS promo is SPG'S, Walt's & GOD'S WAY of making the DISNEY-FIX "POSSIBLE" for you (& Countless others!). Thanks for the Day-brightener Photo of my "HOME-AWAY-FROM-HOME".


Gilligan...BEST way to leave property is to "rent" a car for a day from the National Counter in the Dolphin. It's relatively inexpensive (about $30-40), and you'll have ample time to spend at the park w/o rushing!

I only wish you had an "Extra" day, (or could plan a day) as you could stay at the Royal Pacific for about $100 w/entertainment rate for the eve (it's the least expensive of the three LOEWS resorts...and VERY NICE (Also the NEWEST). This way, you could take the U.S. resort transportation to the PARK, and obtain the very coveted "FRONT of the LINE ACCESSS" to all the attractions!

It's worth every RED CENT! It is also the ONLY WAY we'll do U.S., as the FOTLA took us exactly 5 minutes to reach/board the SPIDERMAN attraction, vs. the excruciating 115 minute wait for the REGULAR ACCESS! All the rides are comparable...and by merely flashing your card (YES...THEY CHECK THE DATE) you gain access. The time you save is definitely worth the stay.

Plus, you can rent cars from the LOEWS resort to get to the WDW DOLPHIN/SWAN. The directions and the shortest easiest route can be obtained from either the rental counter or the concierge. They'll print a MAP for you. It's pretty close, and easy to reach.

 

[jillz]

[

Oh, and lest you forget......here is the REAL Ozzie:

Ozzie really does wag!!!lol...;)

 

[Mouseteacher]

okay ozzie... now I have to upload and post a pix of my sweet pup (Airedale Terrier). I live in a household full of males - so she is my female lifeline!

DH and I just returned from dinner and we spent our time talking about possibilities of an anniversary trip with cash and points which makes a trip more than a dream. DH wants to explore an spg resort outside the park. I told him I can't handle not staying on site.

 

[Mouseteacher]

Another wonderful picture for all S/D fans.

 

[ozziewags]

mouseteacher.......what can I say? WOW! Great pic. A while back several of us posted our pups! They were so cute! Please let us see yours! DF will post her ducks and menagerie!

 

[Mouseteacher]

I remember seeing those pictures and loved viewing them - I am such an animal lover. My dog thinks she is human - she is soooo spoiled. Of course, I pander to her every whim! LOL

 

[dreamflight99]

"many years have passed since those summer days, Among the fields of barley
See the children run as the sun goes down
Among the fields of gold
You'll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
You can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in fields of gold
when we walked in fields of gold... " OH, Mouseteacher...WHAT A PICTURE! Memories ABOUND for me just GAZING at the scene. My eyes tear~up, as I recall the countless times I perused scenes and trapsed about the grounds. I hope I'm always blessed to be able to return annually to this sacred place, and relive the visions of my DH & DD & I...as we LIVED Our Summer days...in the FIELDS Of GOLD...INSIDE the MAGIC! I'm SO thrilled you are POSTING PICS!

HAS ANYONE heard of THIS?!: ***
March 24, 2003


New Interactive Toy Debuts at
Walt Disney World
He has the inside scoop at Walt Disney World. He's cuddly and offers great touring advice and park tidbits. He'll keep guests entertained and informed by recommending theme park attractions, offering reminders about parades and show times, sharing stories, playing games and helping locate Disney characters within the parks. Who is he? Pal Mickey! Pal Mickey is a new talking Mickey Mouse plush toy available for rental or purchase beginning in April. Guests can rent Pal Mickey daily for $8 per day and a refundable deposit. Mickey can also be purchase at merchandise locations in each of the Walt Disney World resort hotels starting in April for $46.94. Pal Mickey will also be offered at select locations in Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom beginning in May.

OR...THIS?!?:

March 21, 2003


Disney CEO Michael Eisner Unofficially Announces New Animal Kingdom Attraction
"We have on the boards,” Michael Eisner said at the annual shareholders meeting, “an approved (I don't know whether or not we've announced it so I'm always in difficult territory here) but an attraction called something Climbing Everest or . . . Mount Everest is in the title. It is the biggest and the best and the most amazing ride through the Himalayas ... consistent with the topography and the spirit of the Animal Kingdom." According to Mr. Eisner and several cast members, the ride is under construction as we speak. Our sources tell us that they are starting to widen the entrance to Asia to allow better traffic flow through the area and that there will be a new bridge as well, but that work won't start for several months. The photo at right is an artist's mock-up of the ride site, viewed from inside the park.

Update: Our sources tell us, "(The ride) starts outdoors where people have all been frightened away by the yeti from the mountain. The trains will be similar to Disney's Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction. Trains enter the mountain, and travelers are harassed by the yeti. At one point the trains will run backwards. They are looking to open the ride in the summer of 2005."

ALSO: April 2, 2003


Florida Residents Play 4 Days Return
The Florida Residents Play 4 Days passes are back! A Play 4 Days pass allows Florida residents four days in the four Walt Disney World theme parks for only $109 per person (plus tax). Good for visits between April 1 through Sept. 30, 2003 (only block-out date: July 4). A special "park hopper" bonus will give Play 4 Days ticket holders the option to "hop" among the 4 main Disney parks at no extra charge. Available to Florida residents only; proof of residency required for each adult. For more information on Play 4 Days, guests can call 1-407-WDW-4DAYS.

AND....April 4, 2003


Port Orleans French Quarter Closing For Rehab
It has been confirmed that as of today Disney has stopped taking reservations for Port Orleans French Quarter. The resort will go down for an extensive rehab, including repainting, replacing and refurnishing. Disney has set a tentative start date in early May and estimate that the renovation will take a year, or possibly longer. All guests with existing reservations will be notified and transferred. Stay tuned for further developments.

Just thought I'd keep everyone UP TO DATE on some interesting NEWS pieces! TTFN....

 

[ozziewags]

Dreamflight........congratulations.....you have hit 1500 posts! Wow. How shall we celebrate?

 

[Mouseteacher]

DF ~ thanks for the updates. The new attraction at AK sounds great. AK needs a bit more to keep it fresh. Although, I am very content with just watching the animals. I am particularly fond of the gorillas. I find them fascinating to observe.

When I posted the last picture, I could see us walking across the bridge heading toward the walkway to MGM one early August morning. It was our first experience using the new walkway. It's the little things that are magical, too.

Ahhh... you are right, DF, Fields of Gold indeed.